UConn Today spoke with Dr. Linda Sprague Martinez, director of UConn Health’s Institute for Health Disparities, professor of medicine, and faculty member in the School of Social Work, as she adjusts to her new role at UConn. heard. Learn more about her personally, including her latest and exciting plans to grow HDI programming.
Q. What is the new role in Uconn?
A. I am enjoying the transition to my new role at HDI. I am especially grateful to her new HDI colleagues who have been incredibly welcoming. HDI has been doing great work in our community for many years to advance health equity. For me, one of the benefits of working at UConn, a land-grant institution, is its public mission. Additionally, our agency values community engagement and our role in driving change in our communities. As a public researcher focusing on community partnerships, it is a blessing to know that my institution supports the community involvement and celebrates. On a daily basis, I enjoy learning more about the Connecticut community and local organizations. There are many local governments and states that focused on promoting fairness in health, and I am grateful for the welcome of the people here and the tolerance of HDI. We know what the people in the local community need to be healthy, and our researchers, medical providers, and policy implementers need to listen to their opinions and learn from it. I am aware that there is. In particular, we have a lot to learn from the people of the local community, about developing interventions to deal with imminent public health issues such as health gaps.
Q. What are your highest expectations for HDI as a director?
A. My biggest wish for HDI is a place to rely on regional -led research, and in cooperation with local residents to contribute to the elimination of racial inequality in health and the expansion of economic opportunities. That can affect.
Q. What are the most important health gaps for you now?
A. All inequalities are important to me, and I am particularly interested in efforts to address the impact of racism on economic opportunity and health. However, when prioritizing areas of focus, our goal is to improve the health and social issues that matter most to people in communities negatively impacted by racism.
Q. What is the next big project for HDI?
a. HDI cooperates with the racial equality committee for public health. We are currently launching a community-based research project to inform the Commission’s strategic planning process. We contract with and train teams of residents from across the state as community research advisors who help design and conduct evaluations. No research experience is required. I am simply interested in making a difference in my community to promote health equity. It’s been very interesting to see the level of interest and involvement of Connecticut residents. We reviewed 108 applications from Connecticut residents in areas highly impacted by racial inequities across the state. The positive response from community members has been amazing. The people of Connecticut clearly care about community health and health equity and are active participants. We are excited to launch this research and action training program and find additional ways to support population engagement in health equity research and action.
Q. How is the status of Connecticut State regarding the health gap?
A. Connecticut racial inequality has spread to health, wealth, employment, and educational achievements. Therefore, in that sense, Connecticut is no different from other states. However, Connecticut has a wealth of resources. The important thing is to find a way for all residents of Connecticut to benefit from the state resources. To do so, it is necessary to reconsider the operation method of the system and the unexpected results that will be a serious barrier to the opportunity. Health is more than health care. We know that health is affected by social and economic factors. Therefore, efforts to promote economic fluid and economic safety are important to increase health.
Q. Why is it important to be involved in the community?
A. We know that patterns established during childhood and early adolescence influence lifelong health. Young people have much to offer when it comes to thinking about community health and well-being, yet they are rarely included in community health efforts, including research and policy. This is the opportunity loss. Cooperation with young people has many advantages. By partnering with them, you can develop meaningful solutions for young people. There are also benefits for young people, such as preparing them for college and employment, becoming more civic-minded, and increasing their interest in health-related careers, to name a few. These can benefit more and more widespread communities over time. I would be neglected if I didn’t mention the advantages of us as a researcher. When we partner with young people, we also strengthen our perspectives and the way we see the world by listening, learning, and participating in power sharing.
Sprague Martinez grew up in southern New Hampshire and earned a bachelor’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from the University of New Hampshire in Massachusetts and a bachelor’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Rivier University in Massachusetts. She acquired a doctors for social policy at the University of Brandedy University Hella Social Policy and Management Graduate School.